Photo credit: Norman Woo
If there was a plug-in hybrid or BEV that we wanted to own, the Polestar 1 would be a serious contender. More than a Tesla, more than the second-generation NSX, more than even one of the Porsche E-Hybrids. For us, pure progressive performance which emboldens a truly impressive design would be our preferred vehicle of choice.
Inspired by Simon Templar’s (The Saint) P1800, the Polestar 1’s carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) body looks beautiful and elegant from any angle. The roof features photochromic glass, which automatically adjusts to the ambient light. It darkens as the sunlight gets brighter and becomes clear in low-light conditions. Enter the cabin and prepared to be ensconced in both form and function that is pleasing to the eye, built for purpose and saturated with technology.
At the core of the coupe is a 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder driving the front wheels. A pair of 150 horsepower electric motors deliver power to the rear wheels for a combined output of 600 horsepower and a heart-thumping 737 lb-ft of torque. The dash from zero to sixty flashes by in less than four seconds according to the company.
Available from mid-2019
Production in a new purpose-built Polestar Production Center—located in Chengdu, China—is slated to start mid-2019.
The 34 kWh battery pack give the Polestar 1 a 65-mile all-electric range based on EPA cycles. Overall range in hybrid mode depends on the driver’s state of happiness and weight of the right foot.
The price tag for this high-performance plug-in hybrid luxury sports coupe is $155,000 USD. Production is limited to 500 units. Of those, Polestar will ship 200 to U.S. customers. The Polestar 1 is available as a straight-out purchase, should you choose. However, there is another option. You can also get the car through Polestar’s subscription model—which covers depreciation, insurance, and routine maintenance.
According to the automaker, details of Polestar 1’s all-inclusive subscription pricing will be confirmed at a later date.
If you appreciate Volvo’s clean Scandinavian design and heritage, but don’t need the extreme performance of the Polestar 1, check out the all-new S60.
